We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. (2) Let everyone of us please his neighbor for his good to edification. (3) For even Christ pleased not himself: but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me. (4) For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. (5) Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: (6) That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (7) Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.
It is always blessed to eye Christ. And, in the use the Apostle here makes of the Lord's example, as not seeking self pleasing in ease and enjoyment, but Jehovah's glory, and his Church's welfare, there is somewhat very blessed, and interesting. It would be well for the Church, if the lovely pattern of the Great Head and Husband of his people were always in view. Both the strong and the weak, the old and the young, the rich and the poor, in the Lord's household, would find constant blessedness, in taking Christ for their example. It is said, that even Christ pleased not himself. By which is not meant, that Christ's pleasure, differed from the Father's. For one and the same mind was in both. Jesus, ages before he openly tabernacled in substance of our flesh, when speaking of the Spirit of prophecy, said: I delight to do thy will, 0 my God; yea, thy law is within my heart. Or, as the words are rendered in the margin of the Bible, in the midst of my bowels; meaning, as wrapped up in his Very nature; so much oneness being between them, Psalms 40:8. But, by not pleasing himself, is intended to shew, that in the accomplishment of the great purpose for which he came upon earth, he had the great object in view of the Father's glory, and his people's happiness. And nothing of self-accommodation or ease was considered by the Lord Jesus, while in the pursuit of these important designs. And, among many instances which might have been produced in confirmation of it, (for Christ's whole life was a life of suffering), Paul brings forward one, which the Scripture noticed concerning Christ, and which in its bosom comprehended many others: but as it is written, the reproaches of them that reproached the fell on me. Now this was happily chosen by the Apostle, in the illustration of this great point, as well as to open to the Church, other important views of Christ. For these are the words of Christ himself, addressed to the Father, spoken by the Spirit of prophecy; and serve as a key, to open to the Church the whole Psalm, from whence Paul makes the quotation of them. I beg the Reader before he proceeds further, for his confirmation in this interesting point, to turn to Psalms 69:1; and by comparing what is there said, with other Scriptures, he will be led to conclude, that Christ is the sole Speaker, through the whole of it. And a most blessed proof the whole brings to the truth as it is in Jesus. Compare verse 9 (Psalms 69:9) with John 2:17; Psalms 119:139. Compare verse 4 (Psalms 69:4) with John 15:25 and Psalms 35:19. Compare verse 3 (Psalms 69:3), with John 14:28; Psalms 119:82, and Psalms 119:123. Compare Psalms 69:21 with Matthew 27:34 and Matthew 27:48. But, when the Reader hath diligently examined those Scriptures, let him not turn away from the passage Paul hath here quoted, before that he hath first considered a little more particularly, the blessedness of it. The reproaches which the Lord Jesus had in contemplation when he thus expressed himself, no doubt, in the first, and principal sense, had respect to Jehovah; and which Christ, by the humiliation of himself, and his sacrifice on the cross, came on earth to do away. The Church of God, as well as the whole of mankind, in the Adam - nature of a fallen state, had reproached God, His holy name, his attributes, his law, his sanctuary; all had been blasphemed, and polluted. When, therefore, Jesus came to do away sin by the sacrifice of himself; these reproaches were charged upon Christ, as the Church's representative and surety, Isaiah 53:6. And, it was in the view of this blasphemy and prophanation of the Lord in the temple, which gave occasion for Christ to manifest his zeal for his Father's honor, when he drave the buyers and sellers before him; and brought to mind to the Apostles this very Scripture, John 2:15-17. But God the Father was also reproached, as well as Christ's own Person, when He, whom God had declared by a voice from heaven, to be his beloved Son, was charged with blasphemy, a glutton, a winebibber, the friend of publicans and sinners, and as having a devil God was reproached in the first instance in all these, and the reproaches fell also upon Christ. And all the reproaches of Christ's people, in their sins and iniquities, which justly became their reproach, fell on Christ; that is, were put upon Christ. He, as the head of his body the Church, bore the whole in his own body on the tree, when he died the just for the unjust to bring us unto God, 1 Peter 3:18. Then it was, as the Almighty Speaker said, in the sweet Psalm before quoted; I restored that which I took not away. Psalms 69:4. Reader! all these precious things, and no doubt much more are included, in what Paul hath here noticed, of the reproaches which fell on Christ. Judge you then, with what a fullness of propriety, might he recommend the strong in faith, to accommodate themselves to their weaker brethren; when this strong One, this Gheber of his Church, endured such a contradiction of sinners against himself that his redeemed should not be wearied nor faint in their minds, Psalms 89:19; Jeremiah 31:22; Hebrews 12:3
Largely as I have trespassed in looking at this most interesting portion of Scripture, I must not suffer the Reader to depart from it, without first taking with him, the blessed conclusion the Apostle hath made of it: because it not only is applicable in the present instance, but in every other, where God the Holy Ghost leads his servants to make quotations from his holy word, in confirmation of his doctrines. The Apostle saith, that whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. And the Apostle adds a prayer, that these blessed effects might follow in the Church. Now then, from hence we are authorized, as from many other parts of Scripture to conclude, that the whole body of the divine word, as well as the prophecy of Scripture, is not of any private interpretation, 2 Peter 1:20. Every part and portion of it, is given with the express view, under the Almighty Author's teaching, to make the Church wise unto salvation, through the faith which is in Christ Jesus. And God the Holy Ghost, from the continual and unceasing ministry of it, in his Church, is to bring the Church acquainted more and more, with the Person, character, offices, work, and glory, of her right lawful Lord. And these great objects, God the Holy Ghost is continually accomplishing, in the hearts of the Lord's redeemed ones, by his gracious ministry. Reader! are you acquainted with these things? do you give yourself wholly to them in the concerns of salvation? Is Christ in your view, all and in all? If so, it is the Lord the Holy Ghost, which is your Teacher. For both by his personal Ministry, as Jesus declared of him, (John 14:16-17.) and by his written word, he it is, the Lord which teacheth you to profit. And you yourself become a living witness to this very Scripture, that the God of patience and consolation hath caused these things to be written for your learning, that you through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.